TIPS Volume 3, No. 3
November, 2002

     Grade Level Key 
     = Elem, = Middle
     = High, = Teachers

Barby is a product of the Fayette County School system, graduating from Lafayette in 1967. She went on to graduate from the University of Kentucky with a teaching certificate for grades 1-8, and a school library media certificate for grades K-12. After teaching in Woodford and Daviess Counties, Barby settled back in Lexington and came to work for Fayette County Schools. As a former library media specialist and school technology coordinator, she has put the integration of technology at a forefront of her mission to assist students and staff in becoming users of information to further their understanding of our changing world. Work mixed with pleasure when, in 1981, she fell for one of the 6th grade teachers, Charlie Hardy. When she married him in 1981, she also married two lovely daughters who have grown into what she terms "contributing adults." She says, "One of them presented us with the greatest grandson the world has ever known a little over 2 years ago."

After working as a Technology Resource Teacher dedicated to school libraries, Barby joined the staff at Media Services, as a Library Resource Specialist. Her responsibilities include, but are not limited to, support for Follett Automation at schools and at the central Union catalog. She is ready, willing, and able … and makes many opportunities to serve school librarians' staff development needs for using technology as an information or management tool. When one of the librarians asks who she works for, she quickly replies, "I work for you!" She says, "I take my cues from each of them… Sometimes, I've been known to tell them what they should be telling me to do to help them though!" She has worked for 3 years with the Kentucky Virtual Library assisting them as they developed the K-12 section. As a 29-year veteran of working for school systems, frequently people ask her about retirement. She wouldn't want you to hold your breath because she still thinks she still has something to contribute.

Linda Dawahare, Educational Television

Linda's work responsibilities make a simple job title impossible! A workday might include camera operator for the school board meetings, studio floor manager, broadcast program director, electronic bulletin board designer, and committee member. Recently she has added digital photographer to the list, as she goes out into the schools to photograph subjects to be showcased on Channel 13. In between she manages the office, the database of programs, and the station's video library.

A native of Cynthiana, Kentucky, Mrs. Dawahare graduated from Harrison County High School, and is pursuing a degree in Family Studies at the University of Kentucky. She joined the Educational Television staff in 1997, and has helped and watched it change from a small publicity arm of Fayette County Public Schools to a full-blown digital studio. She married John Dawahare in 1992, and they have a four year old daughter, Harper Grace, together

Outside of her work responsibilities, Linda sits on the board of directors of "Kate's Closet," a non-profit organization that helps aid Lexington area infants in need. For fun, she likes to cook, play with her daughter, skydive, and spend time at Norris Lake, Tennessee. Frequent forays into the world of digital commerce has earned her the title (from John) of "eBay Queen!" Linda lives in Lexington with her husband, daughter, and cats Tribble and Maggie.

Paula was born in Memphis, Tennessee while her father was finishing up medical school, moving to Lexington in 1973 when he came to help start the Department of Family Practice at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. She graduated from Henry Clay High School, began a music (piano) degree in Jackson, Tennessee, at Union University, then joined her mother (who was working on a degree in interior design) at UK. She earned a Bachelors and Masters in Elementary Education.  Her first teaching job was in Jessamine County at Brookside Elementary.  It was there that she began to integrate technology into her classroom instruction. After a year as an Instructional Technology Consultant with the Kentucky Department of Education, Paula came to Fayette County's Cardinal Valley as perhaps the first elementary technology resource teacher in the district (her official title was "curriculum/technology resource teacher").

Paula is in her fifth year with the Office of Educational Technology, making her a wise ol' veteran! (She is, much to the chagrin of many later additions to the office, by no means the oldest!) Her extensive experience and tireless work ethic make her in high demand throughout the district. She coordinates the Student Technology Leadership Program, is the past PET Project coordinator, and was the main organizational force behind last year's successful Fayette County Public Schools Technology Fair. She counts amongst her responsibilities the technology interests of Northern Elementary as well as all of the other elementary schools.  

Paula lives in Lexington with her children Laura (11), Benjamin (8), and husband Jim, an architect with Taylor Whitney Architects. When not pursuing her district responsibilities, she's the chief cheerleader for her kids' piano/soccer/swim team/basketball/cub scout/church activities. She enjoys flower gardening, reading ("that's recreational reading!"), spending time with her family, and playing with Jake, their Golden Retriever.  Her family is active in the Greater Louisville Golden Retriever Club. When she finally dozes off at the end of the day, she is instantly transported to Siesta Key, Florida, her favorite beach getaway!